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Daddy D.O🇳🇬
@DOlusegun
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
NIGERIA, INDIA REINFORCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, VOW TO BOOST ECONOMIC, DEFENCE, HEALTH, AND FOOD SECURITY TIES
•PRESIDENT TINUBU'S 2023 VISIT TO INDIA YIELDING RESULTS
Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership, pledging to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security.
This is contained in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.
Shortly after the Indian Prime Minister received a formal welcome, including a 21-artillery gun salute at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi went into a tete-a-tete, and later jointly presided over an expanded bilateral and political talks.
During their bilateral discussion, the two leaders agreed to a greater collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.
With growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, they also agreed to coordinated actions to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy.
The two countries pledged to continue regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard critical maritime routes.
''The leaders reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing networks and safe havens.
''They called for zero tolerance to terrorism and expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism in the UN Framework as well as implementation of the UNGA and the UNSC resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism.
''It was agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of counter terrorism,'' the joint statement said.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s readiness to support Nigeria’s defence modernization efforts, highlighting India’s emergence as a trusted defence manufacturer.
The two leaders also highlighted the vibrant economic relationship between India and Nigeria, with India positioned as Nigeria's largest trading partner and a significant contributor to its economy.
Nigeria commended the contributions of over 200 Indian companies operating in the country, which have generated substantial employment and investment opportunities.
On bilateral trade expansion, both leaders directed their officials to finalize pending agreements, including the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to boost trade and investment.
They noted with satisfaction ''the fruitification of some of the investments'' agreed to by the Indian companies during the visit of President Tinubu to India in September 2023, and committed to facilitating early finalization of the remaining investments.
On the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit held from September 9th-10th, 2023, in New Delhi, the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Business Conference had taken place, where Indian investors pledged a combined total of over $14 billion across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The investments were targeted on industrialization, energy, telecommunications, and defence sectors
On infrastructure Development, the joint statement arising from Prime Minister Modi’s state visit, stated that India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria's development priorities through concessional Lines of credit and technical expertise.
On energy collaboration, Nigeria and India agreed on long-term contracts for crude oil and LNG supply and technical support in pipeline transmission security, CNG conversion and LPG bottling distribution.
The two leaders also discussed broader collaboration on food security and agriculture, health, education, and cultural exchanges.
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